Page:History of the First Council of Nice.djvu/47

Rh Alexander, who had become illustrious by his apostolic gilts, governed the church of Constantinople.

It was at this period, that Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, perceiving that many were deluded by the doctrines of Arius, communicated an account of his heresy, by letter, to the rulers of the principal churches. The following is the letter written by Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, to his namesake, of Constantinople.

"Alexander sendeth greeting in the Lord to Alexander, the honored and beloved brother.

"Impelled by avarice and ambition, some evil-minded individuals have formed designs to obtain the highest ecclesiastical preferments. Under various pretexts, they trample upon the religion of the church; and, being instigated by Satanic agency, they abandon all circumspection, and throw off the fear of God's judgments. Having been made to suffer by them in my own diocese, I write to arouse your caution, that you may be on your guard against them, lest they, or any of their party, should presume to enter your diocese. They are skilful in deception, and circulate false and specious letters, calculated to delude the simple and unwary.

"Arius and Achillas have lately formed a